The Montaukett tribe is fighting for recognition by New York state, even though a century ago, a judge ruled the tribe was extinct.
The Montauk Indian Nation is taking action, issuing membership cards and trying to locate members of the tribe nationwide. They’re pushing harder for recognition in the wake of the Shinnecock tribe’s recent federal recognition after an arduous 30 year fight.
The Montaukett are still recognized in textbooks as a factor in Long Island’s development, but the tribe says being listed as defunct is an injustice. It is an injustice that as an honorable people, Montauketts are now seeking to rectify. They’re aware that recognition doesn’t carry many monetary benefits, but they have their eyes set on their land – 1,200 acres which now contains Roosevelt Park. They say they would settle for a smaller number of acres, though.
Another main thing on the litany of complaints from the Montaukett tribe is the fact that they have no legal standing. Currently, the tribe has about 870 consolidated members known by tribe leaders and have filed a petition with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal recognition. They have taken their fight to the government and are now focusing on state recognition.
For more on this ongoing story, visit http://libn.com/blog/2010/10/22/montaukett-pushing-for-state-recognition/
Since the authors name is not listed I will refer to you as Sir or Ma’am.
Sir or Ma’am, I somewhat resent the underlying tone that the Montaukett people are somehow “whining” by your comment “Another main thing on the litany of complaints.” I also take exception to the reference that the tribal leadership is “passing out” membership cards, as one would pass out trick or treat candy to a child. The Montaukett people, as many other Native American tribes, have never been “extinct.” Swindled out of tribal lands, scattered to the wind, mistreated, misunderstood, treated like third class citizens or worse, nuisances, novelties, expendable, invisible, well ok I will give you that.
The only thing the Montaukett are asking for is what was taken from them by a system of people whose rules they did not understand and were powerless against. What they were guilty of, if anything, is ignorance not stupidity. They “had no choice” and that my dear author, is bullying and coercion. I have only recently discovered my lineage due to circumstances beyond my control. Now that I know my heritage I can say that I am truly proud of my Montaukett roots but at the same time, find myself deeply ashamed of my Colonial roots. I have had to work very hard to trace my lineage and in no short order I can tell you I was NOT just handed a tribal membership card, as a matter of fact I am still in the process.
One of the great things in this Nation guaranteed by the Constitution is that everyone has the right to grieve injustices and have them heard, they also have the right to appeal and have decisions overturned that are not only illegal, but immoral and unjustified as well. Is there really merit to deny a people thier hertitage and birthright just because some insignificant judge made an uniformed decison over two hundred years ago? I do not believe so. The Montaukett are not asking for money or power, just the return of a portion of thier tribal lands and the formal recognition as a people that you and many others in this country would and have down right demanded.
In this day of celebrating diversity don’t you really think its time that the “original” residents of this country receive some of the dignity and respect back? After all if it weren’t for the first Native Americans assistance, the Colonials would not have been able to be as successful in establishing thier foothold in this country. It is also my belief that if more people would adopt the creedo of the Montaukett it would be a much better place. “If we can’t help you, we won’t hurt you.”
A Proud Member of the Montaukett People.
The quote “being listed as defunct saps all of their honor and they wish to regain that honor.” only demonstrates that the author doesn’t understand the meaning of honor or has any concept of how honor is gained or lost. Honor is a virtue that can’t be sapped. Honor can be tested – just as honor can be defended. A woman who is raped does not lose her honor. Someone who is robbed does not lose their honor.The disgrace and dishonor applies solely to the perpetrators.
The honor of the Montaukett was tested by a racist judge on behalf of greedy land-grabbers a century ago.To lose your territory under such circumstances is not dishonorable it is an injustice that as an honorable people, Montauketts are now seeking to rectify.
Even within this article, the Montaukett are shown no respect. Montauketts aren’t being “corralled” by their leaders. Coralling is what is done to unintelligent domesticated animals. Montaukett are intelligent, thinking human beings rallying to a cry for justice and liberation. All the attempts to diminish the Montaukett cause or infer materialistic ulterior motives will only motivate Montauketts to fight harder for what they believe in.
People should read the Montauk tribe response to this and a bit of Montauk history.
http://www.montauktribe.org/news.htm
Hello Jerry.
Thank you so much for sending your thoughts.
The writer didn’t mean to say bad things about you. We all see words differently and we’re never going to all agree on everything.
Sometimes it is hard to see a poor choice of words.
I changed “corralled” to “known”
and “passing out membership cards” to “issuing membership cards”
The upside here is that although it was not intentional, if we didn’t have that poor choice of words, you and others may not have written anything and the story would have died right here.
Now at least you know we are here and we know you are too.
(we write a lot of stories where nobody comments and we don’t know if anyone cares or not.)
If you can supply some stories, we can publish them .
Alan.
Editor.
We absolutely love your blog. Support the tribes, it’s only right – and about time too.
About time the tribes were taken care of properly. Its a shame invaders are coming over the borders and being taken care of, but not the tribes.